Monday, March 10, 2014

Traveling with small children - tips and style (Fashion Blog Post)

You've been warned: children are EXHAUSTING!


Especially if they're small like mine, who are three-and-a-half and one-and-a-half. You can't keep your eyes and hands off of them; and they can't stop asking for everything under the sun.

Can you pick me up? Can I take my jacket off? Can you hold my jacket? Can I have ice-cream? Can you buy me that?

All day long.

That's just the older one, who can at least communicate. The toddler points and screams, then hurts herself in some bizarre way.

Comfortable in yoga wear at Disneyland.

Easy travels in cotton shirt dress over capri-style tights and sandals. (BTW, mountains in the SW are beautiful!)

Our recent vacation to Southern California was, therefore, not a vacation at all.


But hey, our family needed bonding after losing a significant member. And, frankly, all Seattleittes need sun after each winter.

I understand you're much too young to have children.


But for future reference, the travel tips below might come handy.

Traveling with small children - tips and style:

 

Riding boots are both fashionable and walkable.

 

1. Make travel time as short as possible.


Toddlers won't behave after being strapped in for longer than two to three hours.

Trust me! I learned the hard way: we took our oldest to China when she was one, and even bought her own seat, envisioning that she will sleep for the 12-hour flight. The kid stayed awake the entire time -- bouncing, laughing, crying, screaming, playing, squirming...can you imaging wrestling a 25-pound kid for 12 hours straight?


If you can, do yourself a favor, and vacation somewhere that doesn't require long travel time. (Hence, SoCal for us Seattle folks.) If you're lucky, your kid will sleep. If not, you've only a few hours (of hell) anyway.


2. Save up before the trip.


You can't skimp like you used to with kids. It's impossible. Even well-behaved, reasonable children ask for expensive souvenirs and treats -- and because it's vacation, you want to splurge on them.

When things get too costly -- and you're too busy to manage money -- you'll start to feel pressure, and start having a bad time. Then, everyone else will have a bad time.

Now that's just no fun!

Plan the trip at least a few months ahead, and allow ample time to save up for extras. If you want to, do what my family does, and open a free checking account nicknamed "vacation," and put any extra money towards it each month. (Any extra money after retirement contribution, basic savings, debt, college funds...of course.) By vacation time, you'll (hopefully) have enough to enjoy the trip with.


3. Pay extra to live in comfort.


Suites (with separate rooms) cost more than regular hotel rooms, but they are soooooooooooooooooooo worth the money!

After putting the kids to bed, you and your significant other can savor in a few hours of peace in a separate room. That's a paramount of pleasure for a set of worn-out parents!

4. Find a hotel that offers continental breakfast.


Hungry kids become angry kids in a matter of seconds. Early in the morning, no one wants to tamper with that kind of danger. Find a hotel that offers breakfast, so you don't have to scramble out the door, in search of food, with little ones screaming from hunger.

You're not doing this to save money; you're doing it to keep sane.

5. Rent a van. It's also worth the extra cost.


I WANT A MINIVAN!

There. I said it. I dreaded the look of them in my 20's, and now I want one, because minivans have sliding doors, lots of room, and surprisingly powerful acceleration. They're comfy, safe, and perfect for traveling. Our rented van took us up and down the SoCal coast. It was a pleasure to ride!

By the way, car seat rentals are expensive. Better to bring your own.


6. Use smaller, nearby airports.


With kids, you'll need a car to get around anyway, so you might as well fly in and out of nearby airports that are smaller and have less traffic. Doing so saves both time and hassle.

Last year we flew into LAX, and took over two hours to get a rental car. This year, we tried Ontario Airport, which is just East of Orange County, and it took only 15 minutes. What a huge difference!

7. Take it easy.


People on vacation often run on adrenaline, and feel an urge to hit every hot spot in town. With two little ones, you probably shouldn't be as ambitious.

After a sweaty, active day at Disneyland, all I wanted to do was to eat tacos by myself. Our family spent the next day "relaxing" on the beach. Quotes around relaxing because it wasn't. The kids took off running in the sand, and someone had to chase them. But the beach was calmer than a crowded theme park.

Also, if you can afford it, there are nanny services for hotel rooms. Browse online and you'll see many choices. We didn't use any, but I've read good reviews.

8. Dress in comfort.


People on vacation also tend to dress extra nice. Some people even put themselves on a diet beforehand. With kids, though, it's wiser to pack and wear comfortable yet presentable style, which is (hopefully) represented in the pictures from today's Fashion Blog post.

By the way, some airlines charge as much as $100 for bags over 50 pounds. Makes me want to do college all over again, and study alternative fuel.

Pack light; bring comfortable clothes; and wear heavy stuff (like boots and coats) on the plane.



A big mom purse helps carry knick knacks kids accumulate.

Wearing a flow-y top for an "easy" breezy beach day.

Animal prints at the zoo - how appropriate.

Hope you make use of the tips.


At least someday.


And if you have your own to offer, please feel free to leave them in a comment.


Happy Monday, everyone!



21 comments:

  1. Totally agree with your tips above, especially about the van! Before I had kids, i didnt know kids travel w soooo much stuff. It's like a production when I travel w my kiddos :)

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  2. great tips! i dont have kids yet but i will use some of these tips in the future! thanks!

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  3. i love these tips! i only have 1 toddler at 1.5 years old now and he's already a handful. i can't imagine how it is with 2!

    cute & little

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  4. Awesome tips! I think you balance everything in your life so well. This is excellent advice. You do an excellent job!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  5. haha, love your blog. You're a pretty mommy! I'm sure I can use those tips very soon. Thanks for your advice!

    http://sbbeautydiary.blogspot.com/

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  6. These are so helpful tips. Although it sounds tough, I think it's so worth it to travel with your kids. It's great that you're spending this time with yours :)

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  7. hi dear,hope you had lots of fun.love the looks but the third one is my best.Great tips too

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  8. I seriously read every one of these tips word by word (and I don't even have kids) but I've often wondered how it must totally change trying to travel with a baby, when I barely have enough arms to handle all my own bags now. lol. I think I need to make my husband read this too, hehe. Such a great post and so many helpful tips and I laughed at the minivan because my parents had one the entire time we were growing up - glad you got to see the sun in So-Cal too even under the circumstances of why you were visiting. xoDale

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  9. I am far from having children but these are good tips! Isn't southern California great! I love your casual style so much.

    http://blushingbeauty90.blogspot.com/

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  10. I will have to bookmark these tips for future reference ;)
    Great post, very well written, informative, and helpful!

    The Dragonfruit Diaries

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  11. You look just great!!! Young, beautiful and skinny! I really like the last look. So sexy :-)

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  12. love this post! you're a milf! i hope i look this hot when i'm a mom!

    www.lisalovescoco.blogspot.com

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  13. So cute pics. ;-)
    Lovely greets Vanessa <333

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  14. Lovely pics, cute kids and you are so beautiful!!!!
    Kisses doll!!!!

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  15. I teach third grade and totally get it - kids are exhausting!

    You look adorable - even after traveling - kuddos!
    Tamar - Renae's co-host (-:

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  16. Hi Triston, these are really good tips! Bringing kids on vacation is very exhausting. Your daughters are really cute! Btw, are you on instagram? Just curious. Have a great weekend!

    xo Jo

    http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com

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  17. Great tips! You look so cute and comfy and the same time :)
    xoxo
    Suzanne from written by suzanne

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  18. I don't have children and I already think that traveling is exhausting!

    7% Solution

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  19. You are so beautiful, and effortless!!! Honestly, i think you are doing a great job by preparing these tips and sharing with us your tips from mommy-hood :) I found this post to be really informative, and entertaining!! =)

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  20. I think that top photo is my fave of you ever. Love the way you look with your kids! I can not imagine how tiring it must be being patient with little kids- much less travel well with them. You make it look kinda awesome.

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